Job Aid:
Logistical Considerations
For the
Employment of
Mass Care Resources
(October 2013)
The information in this Job Aid was developed by technical specialists from the following
agencies:
American Red Cross
Salvation Army
Adventists Community Services
Southern Baptist Convention
State of Florida
Logistical Considerations for the employment of mass care resources
Contents
Acronyms
Purpose of the Document
Introduction
Intended Audience
Additional Consideration for the Ordering and Sustained Use of Mass Care Types Resources
Field Kitchen Unit
Mobile Kitchen Unit
Food Service Delivery Unit
Shelter Management Team
Donated Goods Warehouse Management Team
Relief Supplies Distribution Management Team
Acronyms
Authority Having Jurisdiction
AHJ
Disaster Response Unit
Emergency Response Vehicle
DRU
ERV
Family Radio Service
FRS
General Mobile Radio Service
GMRS
Multi-Agency Feeding Plan Template
MAFPT
National Incident Management System
NIMS
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
OSHA
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Logistical Considerations for the employment of mass care resources
Logistical Considerations for the Employment of Mass Care Resources
I.
Purpose of the Document
Introduction
The following resources are commonly requested and deployed during disasters: Field Kitchen Unit,
Mobile Kitchen Unit, Food Service Delivery Unit, Shelter Management Team, Donated Goods Warehouse
Management Team, and Relief Supplies Distribution Management Team.
Intended Audience
This aid has been developed to communicate the importance of advanced consideration for logistics and
supplies needed to accompany and/or sustain each of these resources once deployed. This aid is
intended to guide and assist emergency managers and incident command in analyzing and determining
what details may need to be considered when deciding to request and/or deploy any of these defined
resources.
This aid provides a series of considerations per typed resource that should be considered and/or applied
when ordering or deploying personnel and equipment in response to a disaster affecting mass care. The
Type I definition implies the greatest capability (and often times the greatest complexity); however, the
lesser capabilities can be used during an incident depending on need. A table including the types and
capability for each resource is provided and allows jurisdictions to determine the planning for additional
logistics and supplies that might be needed to sustain these resources. These additional logistics and
supplies are alphabetically listed under the tables that provide capability information, except for Water
and Wastewater considerations.
II.
Additional Considerations for the Ordering and Sustained Use of Mass Care Typed
Resources
Field Kitchen Unit
A Field Kitchen Unit prepares food for direct service delivery and/or can serve as hub and spoke
distribution with food service delivery units. Food service capabilities are based on serving sizes by
volume of eight-ounce entree, six-ounce vegetable, and six-ounce fruit with preparation for at least two
meals a day (lunch and dinner). There are four types of kitchens defined, which are capable of serving
from 5,000 meals per day to over 20,000 meals per day.
Resource Capability
TYPE I
TYPE II
TYPE III
TYPE IV
20,000+ meals/day
20,000 or fewer
meals/day
10,000 or fewer
meals/day
5,000 or fewer
meals/day
For further information on the coordination among the various organizations/agencies participating in
feeding operations, please reference Multi-Agency Feeding Plan Template (MAFPT) Guidance at
www.nvoad.org.
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Logistical Considerations for the employment of mass care resources
Additional considerations need to be made when ordering Field Kitchen Units:
 Dumpster – Forty (40) cubic yards is recommended. One dumpster is recommended per 20K
daily meal capacity or portion thereof, but the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) determines if
an alternative size is acceptable or if the service for a drop dumpster should be established.
Daily removal service is recommended.
 Food safety, sanitation, and solid waste and other public health requirements – Standards are
established and compliance is required by the AHJ.
 Fuel for forklifts/other equipment – Fuel will need to be supplied. Gas, diesel, and/or propane
delivery with ability to fill on site or with use of drop tank is recommended.
 Hand-washing station – These facilities should be available for kitchen staff use only. Four sinks
should be available for Types I, II, and III and two sinks for Type IV.
 Ice – Sufficient ice should be supplied to cool/chill food and supply food service delivery units:
o
5 pallets for Type I
o
4 pallets for Type II
o
3 pallets for Type III
o
2 pallets for Type IV
Ice should be potable, bagged, and palletized.



Insulated food containers – Dimensions for insulated food containers may vary. A standard
insulated food container (e.g., MPCHL 100 Cambro®) holds 100 servings at eight ounces per
serving entree. This assumes the use of plastic bag liners. Three insulated food containers, each
containing one component of a meal, are needed to serve 100 meals. Per kitchen insulated food
container requirements, by type, are:
o
900 containers for Type I
o
600 containers for Type II
o
300 containers for Type III
o
150 containers for Type IV
Portable toilets/waste removal – These facilities should be available for kitchen staff use only.
Compliance with food safety, sanitation, and solid waste and other public health requirements
and standards are established and required by the AHJ. Ordering additional toilets are
recommended: four portable toilets for Types I, II, and III, and two portable toilets for Type IV. If
the Field Kitchen Unit is being used for congregate feeding, appropriate portable toilets and
waste removal need to be considered according to AHJ requirements.
Support equipment – Support equipment will need to be ordered separately from the Field
Kitchen Unit. The equipment request form should specify operation surface condition, such as
hard surface/concrete, dirt/grass, and/or gravel or off road. The fuel type (propane, electric, or
diesel/gas) and capacity in pounds required for mission specific needs should also be noted
when ordering support equipment. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
standards should be followed by forklift truck operators.
Type I considerations:
3 box trailers (minimum 48-foot each)
4 refrigerated trailers (minimum 28-foot each)
2 Type I outdoor forklifts: wheel loaders, telescopic handler
1 Type I forklift: industrial/factory
3 pallet jacks
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Logistical Considerations for the employment of mass care resources
Type II considerations:
2 box trailers (minimum 48-foot each)
2 refrigerated trailers (minimum 28-foot each)
2 Type I outdoor forklifts: wheel loaders, telescopic handler
1 Type I forklift: industrial/factory
3 pallet jacks
Type III considerations:
2 box trailers (minimum 48-foot each)
2 refrigerated trailers (minimum 28-foot each)
2 Type I outdoor forklifts: wheel loaders, telescopic handler
1 Type I forklift: industrial/factory
2 pallet jacks
Type IV considerations:
1 box trailers (minimum 48-foot)
1 refrigerated trailer (minimum 28-foot)
1 Type I outdoor forklift: wheel loaders, telescopic handler
1 Type I forklift: industrial/factory
2 pallet jacks


Water – The requestor should consider the reordering of water supplies and/or the connectivity
to an approved water source. Ordering additional gallons of water is recommended: 2,000
gallons for Type I and 1,000 gallons for Types II, III, and IV per day.
Grey water capacity – Catch and removal will be dependent on kitchen’s fresh water capacity.
Mobile Kitchen Unit
These mobile/movable kitchen units prepare meals and provide direct service and can be packed up and
moved to another location with accompanying personnel as needed. There are four types of Mobile
Kitchen Units serving from up to 500 to 1, 500 meals per day:
Resource Capability

TYPE I
Up to 1,500
meals/day
TYPE II
Up to 1,000
meals/day
TYPE III
Up to 750
meals/day
TYPE IV
Up to 500
meals/day
Insulated food container – These containers assist with the transport of cooked or prepared
food from the Mobile Kitchen Unit to the field. The dimensions for insulated food containers
may vary. A standard insulated food container (e.g., MPCHL 100 Cambro®) holds 100 servings at
eight ounces per serving entree. This assumes the use of plastic bag liners. Additional ordering is
recommended:
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o
45 containers for Type I
o
30 containers for Type II
o
25 containers for Type III
o
15 containers for Type IV
Logistical Considerations for the employment of mass care resources






Food safety, sanitation, and solid waste and other public health requirements – These
standards are established and compliance is required by the AHJ.
Fuel for equipment – Fuel will need to be resupplied. Gas, diesel, and/or propane should be
available at a service or staging area.
Ice – Ice is recommended to cool/chill food. For Types I and II, ice should be bagged, potable,
and stored in coolers with a minimum ½ pallet of ice available daily at staging area. For Types III
and IV, ice should be bagged, potable, and stored in coolers with a minimum ¼ pallet of ice
available daily at staging area.
Trash removal – Trash disposal and removal service need to be available at the staging area for
Type I-IV, but the AHJ determines if an alternative size/quantity is acceptable or if the service for
a drop dumpster should be established.
Water – Accessibility to an approved water (potable) source at service or staging area is needed
(as approved by the AHJ) with a minimum of 50 gallons per day.
Grey water – Grey water removal needs to be available at a service or staging area as
coordinated with the AHJ. The capacity of a grey water tank is dependent on fresh water
capacity contained within the Mobile Kitchen Unit.
Food Service Delivery Unit
Food Service Delivery Units are assumed to be operating in conjunction with a Field Kitchen Unit.
Nonperishable items, such as clam shells, picnic packs, and paper goods, are listed as part of the Field
Kitchen Unit entry. A Type I Food Service Delivery Unit is an American Red Cross Emergency Response
Vehicle (ERV) or Salvation Army Disaster Response Unit (DRU). A Type II is a commercial vehicle rented
for the purpose of emergency food distribution. Meals can be served from within a Type I unit, while a
Type II unit requires an external set up to serve meals.
Resource Capability




TYPE I
Up to 1,500 meals per day (in
accordance with safe food
handling requirements). Meals will
be served by the Unit.
TYPE II
Up to 1,500 meals per day (in accordance with
safe food handling requirements). Meals are
not served by the Unit.
Fuel – Fuel for equipment will vary by vehicle (e.g., gas, diesel, or propane) and will need to be
resupplied. Fuel needs to be available at a service or staging area.
Food safety, sanitation, and solid waste and other public health requirements – These
standards are established and compliance is required by the AHJ.
Picnic packs –These packs help facilitate serving or hold food during delivery. These packs are
based on a maximum of 1,500 meals per day. One clamshell and one picnic pack per meal
served are recommended for Type I and II.
Tables – Tables need to be ordered separately for Type II or greater (for serving).
Shelter Management Team
A Shelter Management Team coordinates and manages resources in a congregate care facility (shelter)
intended to provide a safe and protected environment for populations displaced by an incident or an
event. Additional considerations for shelter operations can be found in Shelter Guidance Aid and Shelter
Staffing Matrix at www.nvoad.org or nationalmasscarestrategy.org. In addition to ordering shelter
teams for the shelters, considerations may need to be made for ordering/securing sanitation items and
security at the following shelter settings:
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Logistical Considerations for the employment of mass care resources
Resource Capability


TYPE I
(LONG- TERM MEGA
SHELTER)
Used for durations
typically longer than
2 weeks
TYPE II
(STANDARD SHORTTERM SHELTER)
Used for durations
typically not to
exceed 2 weeks
TYPE III
(EMERGENCY
EVACUATION SHELTER)
Used for durations
typically not to
exceed 72 hours
TYPE IV
(TEMPORARY
EVACUATION POINTS)
Used for durations
typically of several
hours
Sanitation items – The following may need to be ordered for shelter(s): portable toilets (human
waste removal), hand-washing stations, and trash removal (dumpsters).
Security – Force Security requirements shall be determined by the requesting agency based on
actual field conditions and/or intelligence. The requesting agency shall determine if it will
provide security or if the responding team/personnel needs to provide security.
Donated Goods Warehouse Management Team
This management team includes personnel who manage volunteers who receive, sort, inventory, and
store donated goods prior to release to organizations distributing to survivors and responders. Each
facility will vary in terms of additional supplies/equipment that may be needed and ordered separately
from the Donated Goods Warehouse Management Team. Four teams are typed to support facilities
from 25, 000 square feet to over 100,000 square feet:
Resource Capability



TYPE I
TYPE II
TYPE III
Supports a facility
greater than
100,000 square feet
Supports a facility
greater than 50,000
square feet
Supports a facility
greater than 25,000
square feet
TYPE IV
Supports a facility
up to 25,000 square
feet
Dumpster – Recommend 30-40 cubic yards with on-demand service (two dumpsters for Type I
and one dumpster for Types II, III, and IV), but the AHJ determines if an alternative size is
acceptable or if the service for a drop dumpster should be established.
Facility utilities – The facility needs to have land line or generated electrical power and outdoor
lighting which may be necessary for night operations in accordance with OSHA standards. Other
considerations for the facility include need for water and sanitation, safety shower, eye wash
station, hand washing stations, showers, and toilets.
Handling equipment considerations –
Type I considerations:
10 pallet jacks
4 dock plates (1 per dock)
100 pallet boxes/bulk bins
400 pallets per week
Fire extinguishers as required
Type II considerations:
8 pallet jacks
2 dock plates (1 per dock)
75 pallet boxes/bulk bins
300 pallets per week
Fire extinguishers as required
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Logistical Considerations for the employment of mass care resources
Type III considerations:
6 pallet jacks
2 dock plates (1 per dock)
50 pallet boxes/bulk bins
200 pallets per week
Fire extinguishers as required
Type IV considerations:
3 pallet jacks
1 dock plate
25 pallet boxes/bulk bins
100 pallets per week
Fire extinguishers as required

Office supplies and equipment considerations for use within the warehouse –
Type I considerations:
6 desks with chair
(10) 6-foot tables
(30) 8-foot tables
60 chairs
1 locking file cabinet
Office supplies
500 boxes per week
12 rolls stretch wrap per week
2 cases packing tape per week
6 networked computers with software and Internet access
3 multi-function printer/fax/copier/scanner
8 voice phone lines (5 roll-over)
3 fax lines
Type II considerations:
6 desks with chair
(8) 6-foot tables
(30) 8-foot tables
50 chairs
1 locking file cabinet
Office supplies
400 boxes per week
10 rolls stretch wrap per week
1 1/2 cases packing tape per week
6 networked computers with software and Internet access
3 multi-function printer/fax/copier/scanner
8 voice phone lines (5 roll-over)
2 fax lines
Type III considerations:
4 desks with chair
(6) 6-foot tables
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Logistical Considerations for the employment of mass care resources
(30) 8-foot tables
30 chairs
1 locking file cabinet
Office supplies
300 boxes per week
8 rolls stretch wrap per week
1 case packing tape per week
4 networked computers with software and Internet access
2 multi-function printer/fax/copier/scanner
4 voice phone lines (3 roll-over)
2 fax lines
Type IV considerations:
3 desks with chair
(4) 6-foot tables
(15) 8-foot tables
20 chairs
1 locking file cabinet
Office supplies
200 boxes per week
6 rolls stretch wrap per week
1/2 cases packing tape per week
2 networked computers with software and Internet access
1 multi-function printer/fax/copier/scanner
4 voice phone lines (3 roll-over)
1 fax lines

Support equipment (industrial-style forklifts and certified drivers) – Support equipment will
need to be ordered separately. The equipment request form should specify operation surface
condition such as hard surface/concrete, dirt/grass, and/or gravel or off road. The fuel type
(propane, electric, or diesel/gas) and capacity in pounds required for mission specific needs
should also be noted when ordering support equipment. Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) standards should be followed by forklift truck operators.
Type I considerations:
6 propane industrial forklifts
3 golf carts
12 industrial fork lift operators
Type II considerations:
3 propane industrial forklifts
1 golf cart
6 industrial fork lift operators
Type III considerations:
2 propane industrial forklifts 4 industrial fork lift operators
Type IV considerations:
1 propane industrial forklift
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Logistical Considerations for the employment of mass care resources
2 industrial fork lift operators

Warehouse capacity –
Type I considerations:
4 loading docks (minimum)
Office space
Worker support/rest area
Type II considerations:
2 loading docks (minimum)
Office space
Worker support/rest area
Type III considerations:
2 loading docks (minimum)
Office space
Worker support/rest area
Type IV considerations:
1 loading dock (minimum)
Office space
Worker support/rest area
Relief Supplies Distribution Management Team
The Relief Supplies Distribution Management Team manages the distribution of goods, such as food,
blankets, hygiene kits, first aid kits, clothing, and cleaning supplies, to survivors and responders. These
teams manage and support fixed sites (based on square footage) or mobile units and may need to
consider ordering additional logistics and supplies for distribution.
Resource Capability





TYPE I
Support fixed site
larger than 3, 000
square feet
TYPE II
Support fixed site
up to 3, 000 square
feet
TYPE III
Support a 24’ to
53’ mobile unit
trailer
TYPE IV
Support smaller
mobile unit (e.g.,
ERV, DRU,
truck/trailer less
than 24’)
Drivers – Drivers need to comply with Federal/State licensing laws and regulations.
Equipment Needs – Two or three cell or satellite phones are recommended for Types I and II,
and one or two cell or satellite phones for Types III and IV. Family Radio Service (FRS) or General
Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) radios are recommended for Type I.
Facility Needs – The parking area should be adequate to support and allow access to
distribution vehicle(s). Adequate space is required for worker and survivor parking, and lighting
is needed for night operations.
Other Supplies Required – Office supplies are suggested to record survivor information and
boxes/bags are recommended for survivors to transport goods.
Traffic Control – Appropriate traffic control must be considered at each distribution location.
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